Scrap tobacco feed



Sept. 20, 1938. J. F. HALSTEAD SCRAP TOBACCO FEED Filed June 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4, ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1938. J. F. HALSTEAD 2,130,755

' SCRAP TOBACCO FEED Filed June 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2 1" .2 26 33 z] r a5 or J2 A TORNEY Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES SCRAP TOBACCO FEED John F. Halstead, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 5, 1935, Serial No. 24,992 i 43 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in scrap bunch cigar machines, more particularly to the tobacco feed thereof. The main object of the invention is to provide automatic regulation of the quantity of tobacco fed from the hopper to the measuring chamber at each cycle of the machine, this quantity in the present tobacco feed being controlled by the amount of tobacco remaining in the measuring chamber on completion of the preceding cycle. Other objects of this invention are to portion the successive quantitles of tobacco without cutting the scraps, to simplify the mechanism for actuating the chargecompressing plunger, and to provide for making tapered bunch charges. With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims.

In a scrap bunch machine described in Patent No. 1,915,525, granted June 27, 1933, on the application of F. C. Gladeck, et al., the tobacco feed is so arranged that its operation is controlled by the quantity of tobacco left in the measuring chamber, so that in the next cycle themeasuring chamber receives either a full quantity or nothing at all. This action causes the tobacco contents in the measuring chamber to vary abruptly between wide limits, thereby causing variations in tobacco density in different bunches due to the varying length of the column of tobacco to be compacted. In order to assure greater uniformity of the bunches, the tobacco feed in the present machine has a variable feed pocket which takes a larger or smaller quantity of tobacco according to the amount of tobacco left over'in the measuring chamber after separation of the preceding bunch charge therefrom. This variable pocket may consist of stationary end and side walls and of a swingable bottom constituting a gate and fitting between the sidewalls and terminating at the end wall, the curvature of which is concentric with the axis of the gate. In each cycle of the machine, this gate is swung upwardly by a cam from an adjustable initial position of maximum pocket depth and is arrested by a ratchet segment set during the preceding cycle by the movement of the compression plunger which, in turn, is controlled by the amount of tobacco present in the measuring chamber.

The feed pocket communicates with an outlet in the bottom of the supply hopper which is filled with scrap tobacco, the hopper outlet being periodically closed by a slidable shutter controlled by a cam which opens the same at the proper w time and closes when the pocket is filled, without cutting the scraps. The motion imparted to the shutter from its cam is transmitted through mechanism including a yieldable arm connected to the shutter through a lever so that, in case of any obstruction to closing of the shutter, the latter will be arrested through the yielding of the arm. The said yieldable arm carries an adjustable screw,'bearing against the lever connected to the shutter, thus providing positive motion for openingthe shutter. i

When the feed pocket has been filled from the hopper the gate swings into its lowermost position below the curved end wall, thereby dumping the contents of the pocket into the measuring chamber through a cam-operated trap door thereon which is open at'that time. The gate is then swung upwardly to the top edge of the curved end wall, while the shutter is being opened, to clear the pocket of any tobacco adhering to the end and side-walls, and finally returns to its normal position. corresponding to maximum pocket depth. With the gate in this position, the pocket is filled by the tobacco which drops through the hopper outlet when the shutter is opened,agitators arranged within the hopper assuring proper filling of the pocket. Theseagitators are actuated intermittently through a chain driven by a sprocket connected with a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism which also operates the trap door of the measuring chamber, this mechanism being similar to that described in my co-pending application S. N. 745,470, filed September 25, 1934, 2,021,652, dated November 19, 1935.

While the pocket is being filled the compressing plunger advances in the measuring chamber, the required straight-linemotion thereof in the present machine being imparted thereto by a novel type of linkage forming a part of this invention. The shank of the plunger, as heretofore, carries a finger engageable with a swingable arm which in the present machine transmits the forward motion of the plunger beyond their point of engagement to the aforementioned ratchet segment to set the latter into position for arresting the upward motion of the bottom of the pocket. The greater the mass of tobacco 'in the measuring chamber, the smaller is the extent of the forward motion of the plunger required to fill the charge-measuring pocket, which forms 'a continuation of the measuring chamber, with tobacco; hence the ratchet segment will a vance less toward the said bottom, whereby now Patent Number smaller, in inverse relation to the quantity of tobacco in the measuring chamber.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation of a scrap bunch machine provided with the improved tobacco feed;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation on line 22 of Fig. 1'

on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified form of tobacco feed.

In carrying the invention into effect there is provided a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulated in said measuring chamber, and means ,controlled by said device for regulating the capacity of said pocket inversely to the amount of tobacco in said measuring chamber. In the best constructions contemplated the feed pocket is provided.with a swingable gate or bottom, and the regulating means is connected to said bottom to raise the same within the pocket, and the compressing device controls the extent to which, the bottom is raised by the regulating means, whereby the capacity of the pocket is regulated. Furthermore, in the best constructions, the regulating means acts tov raise the bottom of the pocket after the same is filled with tobacco and thereby return the surplus tobacco, to the hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket; and the mechanism for dumping the tobacco is connected to the bottom of the pocket to swing the same down wardly out of the pocket, whereby the contents thereof will be discharged into the measuring chamber. These various means andgparts may be widely varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular tobacco feed selected to illustrate the invention is but oneof many possible concrete embodiments of the same. Theinvention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the specific construction shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, the hopper 5, which is supported onthe pedestals 5, E of the machine, carries a pair ofgstraight plates 1 and anarcuat'e plate 8 projecting downwardly from three sides of its dischargeoutlet and forming the side walls and end wall of a variable feed pocket which normally closed by a swinging gate 9 forming the bottom thereof. In transverse groovesof the plates 1 is mounted a sliding shutter ill whichperiodically closes the discharge outlet of hopper 5. The shutter I0 is guided by rollers H sup ported by plates 1, and in blocks I2 fastened to the bottom thereof is fixed a rod l3rthe ends of which engage with notches in the ends of levers I4 fast on a shaft I5 journaled in the pedestals 5, 6. On shaft I5 is fixed an arm l6 connected by a tension spring [1 to an arm l8, which is loosely mounted on shaft. l5 andconnected to a rod 19 upward motion of. rod 19 for closing the shutter I0 is transmitted to the arm l4 through spring [1,

the latter will rise higher and make the pocket which yields in case of an obstruction to the for ward movement of shutter l0; and the downward motion of rod IQ for opening the shutter is transmitted through contact of screw 2! with the pin 22 of arm I6.

The bottom or gate 9 of the feed pocket is carried by a hub 23 fast on a shaft 24 supported in bearings 25 on pedestals 6, 6'. On one end of shaft 24 is loosely mounted a gear 25 meshing With a pinion 2! on a shaft 28, the pinion being oscillated by a rack 29 which is guided by 'a flanged roller 30 and actuated through a rod 3i from a cam, not shown. Shaft 24 also carries a loose ratchet segment 32, and an arm 33 fastened on shaft 24 is connected with the gear 26 by a spring 34 attached-t0 posts 35 and 35 on the gear 25 and arm 33 respectively. The arm 33 also carries a projecting pin 31 against which the pin 38 on the gear 26 is normally held by the tension of spring 34, the pin 31 projecting sufficiently to engage with one end 32a of the ratchet segment 32, which is located between gear 25 and arm 33, when the gear 26 is revolved in a backward direction during the downstroke of the rack 29.

On a post 39 in pedestal 5 is pivoted a springpawl 40 engaging with the teeth of ratchet segment 32 and releasable therefrom by means of a lifter block 4| set into a depression in the rim of the gear 26. The ratchet segment 32 is connected by a link 42 to an arm 43 fast on a shaft 44 supportedby pedestal 6 and by a journal-box 45. The shaft 44 also carries a downwardly extending rubber-tipped arm' 46 normally resting on the base 4'! of the machine and an upwardly extending lever 48 disposed to be engagedby a screw 49 carried by a finger 5i! affixed tothe end of the shank 5| of compression plunger 52. The arm 43 has a numberof holes for reception of the pivot of connecting rod 42 so that the throw 'of the latter is adjustable for different maximum depths of the variable feed pocket according to the size of the bunches to be made.

The plunger 52 is operated by a bell-crank 53 mounted on a fulcrum shaft 54 and connected to a vibrating link 55 by a driving link 55, link 55 being fulcrurned upon a link 5! loose on shaft 55 and guided by a link 58 loosely mounted on a pivot 59 in the base 41 ofthe machine. This linkage assures a substantially straight-line motion of the plunger, the link 55 being swiveled by pintles 69 to a block 66 slidably mounted on the shank 5| of the plunger; and a plate 54 is adjustably supported by screws threaded into the plate and the block 66, the screws being held fast in the block by nuts 61. The plate is guided by a pin 58 fastened in the block 65; and a compression spring 63 is mounted on the shank of the plunger. The shank of the plunger passes freely through holes in plate 64 and block 65, and said spring is seated against the plate 64 and the head of the plunger. By adjustment of the screws 55v the pressure of the spring 63, on the plunger may be regulated. Although the motion of the plunger obtained with the described arrangement of the linkage produces only a slight deviation from a straight line, which deviation is insufficient to interfere with the reciprocation of the plunger, a true straight line motion may be obtained with the described linkage by replacing the link 51 by a stationary pin fitting a lost-motion slot in the link 55, and aligning the pivot 59 of link 58 with the central position of the link between the limits of its throw. 'Thus, the 1ink 58 will restrain the upper end of the link '55 to a rectilinear path to impart a straight-line motion to the plunger.

During its downstroke the rack 29 drives the pinion 21 and thus turns the gear 26, the arm 33 being turned with the latter by the spring 34 until pin 31 engages with the fiat face 320 on one end of the ratchet segment 32,the latter being heldstationary by the spring-pawl 40. The gate 9 is thus set into position to provide the proper depth of the pocket for the quantity of tobacco required, the spring 34 stretching while the gear 26 completes the remainder of its swing. Upon the return motion of gear 26 corresponding to the upward stroke of rack 29, the block 4| raises the pawl 40, thus allowing segment 32 to be turned back to its initial position by the weight of the connecting rod 42, arm 43 and stop-arm 4E.

The cam which actuates rack 29 is so timed that the upward stroke of the latter will occur after the pocket has been filled and the shutter M has closed, to swing the gate 9 down to its lowermost position 9' (Fig. .1), whereby the con tents of the pocket will be discharged through chute Ill and I I into a funnel T2 surrounding the sides and free end of the trapdoor 6! which has swung open at that time to form the fourth wall of the funnel. The rack 29 is thereupon actuated by the said cam to raise the gate 9 to position 3 with its free end at the top of the pocket and finally return it to initial position 8, this upward motion occurring while the shutter I0 is opening andserving the purpose of clearing the pocket walls of any adhering tobacco, particularly at the portion opposing the lip of the shutter.

To part the tobacco filling the pocket from that in the hopper, the shutter ID is provided at its forward end with a curved resilient blade 13 overhanging the same and also serving to sweep out scraps or lumps of tobacco lying between the lip of the shutter and the opposed wall of the hopper outlet, which would otherwise obstruct the closing of the shutter.

While the gate swings from position 9 to position 9", the shutter l0 opens and remains open while thegate swings back to position 9 and until it is raised to its final position as determined by the setting of ratchet 32 as hereinafter described. Upon the return of the gate to position 9 on its downswing, the action of the agitators (not shown) in the hopper assures filling of the pocket sothat the subsequentupward motion of the gate returns to the hopper the surplus quantity of tobacco in the pocket, thus eliminating air pockets or bridging in the remaining tobacco and assuring accurate measuring; and also serving to loosen the tobaccoin the hopper. In its closed position 13' the blade extends well beyond the hopper outlet and will cover any gap between the shutter and opposed wall at the hopper outlet due to scraps or lumps remaining therebetween, and thus prevent dribbling of tobacco therethrough. i i

i The trapdoor 61 is fastened to an arm 14 hinged on the pin 75 and actuated by a link 16 connected to one arm of a lever 11 fulcrumed on a shaft 18 and tensioned by a spring 19, connectedto the other arm of the lever Tl, a screw 83 on lever ll engaging with a pin 8! in' a bell-crank 82 fastened on shaft 18 and connected to a cam lever (not shown) on shaft 54 by a rod 83-. There is also fastened on shaft 18 an arm 84 carrying a pawl .85 which engages with a ratchet 86 on a sprocket rod 83, and in turn driving a system of agitators (not shown) arranged within the hopper 5, to fill the feed pocket with tobacco. A pawl 88 pivoted on the pedestal 6 prevents the ratchet 88 from turning backwards on the upward stroke of rod 83 and thus locks the sprocket 81. As the plunger 52 is moved forward with the block 66 by the pressure of the spring 63 to compress the mass of tobacco T in the measuring chamber 60, the inlet of which is closed at this time by the trap-door 6|, the screw 49 engages with the lever 48, thereby swinging the arm 43 and causing the rod 42 to move upward and turn the ratchet segment 32 in the forward direction, indicated by the arrow in Fig; 1, to its initial position. If the amount of tobacco Tin the measuring chamber 63 is so great that the charge-measuring pocket 62, which forms a continuation of the latter, is filled with tobacco compressed to the required density before the screw 49 engages the arm 48, the arm 43 of course will not be turned and the ratchet 32 will remain in its initial position shown in full lines in Fig. l and permit the gate 9 to be swung up to the position of minimum pocket depth. On the other hand, if the mass of tobacco in the chamber 60 is so small that the plunger 52 must go to the limit of its stroke to fill the charge-measuring pocket, then the arm 48 is swung to position 48' and the ratchet 32 is turned to its extreme position shown in dotted lines, in which position its forward end 32a engages the pin 31 of arm 33 and thus prevents movement of the gate 9 from the position of maximum pocket depth. For any amount of tobacco in ,the'. measuring chamber between these extremes, the plunger, due to the action of spring 63, comes to rest before the end of the forward swingof the link 55, and the ratchet 32 is set at some point between its full line and dotted positions shown, to stop the gate 9' in a position of intermediate pocket depth.

In this manner the capacity of the feed pocket is continuously and automatically regulated,

wherefore excessive variation in the amount of tobacco in the measuring chamber is prevented. It should be understood, however that by replacing the multi-tooth ratchet segment 32 with a two-tooth ratchet segment the present tobacco feed will operate to stop the gate 9 in the position of either maximum or minimum pocket depth,

depending on the amount of tobacco in the measuring chamber, and deliver either the maximum or minimum quantityof tobacco to the measuring chamber. A suitable modified form of pawl-andratchet mechanism for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 3, wherein the pawl 49 engages the ratchet tooth 320 following the extreme displacement of the finger 48 (Fig. 1) resulting from depletion of the column of tobacco in themeasuring chamber and thereby maintains the ratchet segment in a position wherein its face 32a will check the r turn motion of pin 31 on arm 33 and thereby limit to a minimum the upward movement of the gate 9 from its initial or lower position. In the event that the displacement of the finger 48 is sufiicient only to permit the pawl to drop into the ratchet tooth' 3211', the ratchet segment will permit the gate to swing up to position 9". During the forward motion of gear 25 its pin 38 engages the pin 31 on the arm 33 backward in the same manner as described above to move the gate 9 into its lower position at the bottom of the pocket. During the return motion of gear 26 the pin 31 on arm 33 is checked by the ratchet segment, which has previously been set by engagement of the pawl with ratchet tooth 320 or 322), to halt the gat'in position 9 or 9" respectively. Therefore a maximum or minimum quantity of tobacco will be delivered when the gate swings to its dumping position.

In Fig. 2, an arrangement of the measuring chamber for making tapered bunch charges is shown. The top of the chamber 6|] and the trapdoor 6! are straight, but the mid-section of the bottom 89 thereof is bent to the desired taper and has straight margins parallel with the door 6|. On these margins are slidable the end walls 90 10 which are fastened to stems 9i passing throughthe'stationary side plates 92. After adjustment for the length of bunch desired, the end walls 90 are secured in place by set screws 93 threaded in the side plates 92 and engaging the stems 9|. The face 52 of the compression plunger, which consists of a felt pad held between two metal plates, is shaped to fit the tapered cross-section between the end walls 90 and is attached to a head 94 in which the shank 5| is fastened. If desired, the charge-measuring pocket 62 may be provided with a similar cross-section.

After the charge-measuring pocket has been filled with tobacco compacted to the proper density, the bunch charge filling the same is severed from the column of tobacco by the knife K, actual ated by any suitable mechanism such as shown in my c'o-pending application identified above or the above'mentioned patent, and the pocket is lowered and turned by mechanism, also shown in said application, to deliver the severedbunch charge to the bight of the bunch rolling apron.

It should also be understood that the feedpocket is adapted to portion small, as well as large scrap tobacco and can also be used for measuring comminuted materials and other materials such as grain.

What is claimed is: U

l. A scrap tobacco feed for cigar machines -comprising a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, an

immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet, and means controlling the filling of said pocket, said means including mechanism for varying the quantity of tobacco fed to said pocket. a

2. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet, means controlling the filling of said pocket, said means including a device for periodically closing and opening said outlet, and automatic mechanism for regulating the capacity of said pocket to control the amount of tobacco delivered thereto while said device is open.

3. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco,. of an immovable feed pocket arranged (30 to receive tobacco from said outlet, and means controlling the filling of said pocket, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, said means including mechanism for raising said bottom after the pocket has been filled with tobacco and 5 thereby returning the surplus tobacco to said hopper through its outlet and eliminating air pockets and bridging? in the tobacco remaining within said pocket.

4. The combination with a hopper having an 70 outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco,.of a device adapted to close said outlet, an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, and means for actuating said device to close said 75 outlet after said pocket has received a quantity of tobacco, to segregate the same from the tobacco in said hopper.

5. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a device adapted to close said outlet, an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, and means for actuating said device to close said outlet after said pocket has received a quantity of tobacco, to segregate the same from the tobacco in said hopper, said device including a sliding shutter and yielding means for closing the same.

6. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a device adapted to close said outlet, an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, and means for actuating said device to close said outlet after said pocket has received a quantity of tobacco, to segregate the same rrom the tobacco in said hopper, said pocket being provided with a bottom movable into position to permit the contents of the pocket to be dumped.

'7. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a device adapted to close said outlet, an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, and means for actuating said device to close said outlet after said pocket has received a quantity of tobacco, to segregate the same from the tobacco in said hopper, and mechanism controlling the capacity of said pocket.

8. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a device adapted to close said outlet, an immovable feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, means for actuating said device to close said outlet after said pocket has received a quantity of tobacco, to segregate the same from the tobacco in said hopper, and mechanism controlling the filling of said pocket, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, and said mechanism controlling the position of said bottom within said pocket during its filling, to thereby regulate the capacity of the pocket.

9. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a device adapted to close said outlet, a stationary feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet while said device is open, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, means for actuating said device to close and open said outlet, and mechanism for moving said bottom upwardly within said pocket while said device is being opened, to clear the interior of the pocket of adhering tobacco;

10. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filledwith a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulated in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket inversely. to the amount of tobacco in said measuring chamber.

11. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is filled, a measuringchamber arranged to, receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulated in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket.

12., The combination witha hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulated in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom, and said means being connected to said bottom to raise the same within the pocket, and said device controlling the extent to which said bottom is raised by said means, whereby the capacity of said pocket is regulated.

.13. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is fi1led,,a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for cornpressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulatedin said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom and said means being connected to said bottom to raise the same after the pocket is filled with tobacco from said outlet and thereby return the surplus tobacco to said hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket.

14. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be'filled with a quantity of scrap tobacco therefrom, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same is filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for com-- pressing the mass of tobacco thus accumulated in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom, and said mechanism being connected to said bottom to swing the same downwardly out of the pocket, whereby the contents thereof will be discharged into said measuring chamber.

15. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco insaid measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket.

16. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom v while said shutter is open, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom and said regulating means being connected to said bottom to raise the same within the pocket, and said device controlling the extent to which said bottom is raised by said means, whereby the capacity of the pocket is regulated.

17. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco in said measuring chamber, and means con-- trolled by said device for automatically regulat- 1 ing the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with aswingable bottom, and said regulating means being connected to said bottom to raise the same while said shutter is open and after the pocket has been filled with tobacco from said outlet and thereby return the surplus quantity of tobacco to said hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket.

18. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom and said mechanism being connected to said bottom to swing the same downwardly out of the pocket while said shutter is closed and after the pocket has been filled, whereby the contents of the pocket will be discharged into said measuring chamber.

19. The combination witha hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, a measuring chamber arranged to receive the quantities of tobacco dumped from said pocket, a device for compressing the mass of tobacco in said measuring chamber, and means controlled by said device for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said measuring chamber being provided with a swingable trapdoor and means for periodically swinging the same open toadmit the tobacco discharged from said pocket, a plunger within said chamber, and linkage for supporting said plunger and imparting a straight-line motion thereto within the chamber.

20. The combination with a hopper having'an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is'open, and mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, and means for automatically regulating thecapacity of said pocket.

21. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, and mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocketafter the same has been filled, said shutter being provided with a hooked resilient blade on its forward end adapted to part the tobacco in the pocket from that in the hopper and sweep out scraps and lumps of tobacco lying between the lip of the shutter and the opposed wall of the hopper outlet.

22. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, and mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, and means for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom, and said regulating means beingconnected to said bottom to raise the same within said pocket and thus vary the capacity thereof.

23. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, and mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, and means for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom, and said regulating means being connected to said bottom to raise the same while the shutter is open and after the pocket has been filled with tobacco from said outlet and thereby return the surplus quantity of tobacco to said hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket. 7

24. The combination'with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, and mechanism for dumping the tobacco from said pocket after the same has been filled, and means for automatically regulating the capacity of said pocket, said feed pocket being provided with a swingable bottom, and said mechanism being connected to said bottom to swing the same downwardly out of the pocket while said shutter is closed and after the pocket has been filled, whereby the contents of the pocket will be dumped.

25. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close and open said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, and mechanism for actuating said bottom to dump the contents of the pocket while the shutter is closed and after the pocket has been filled.

26. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close and open said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, and mechanism for actuating said bottom to dump the contents of the pocket while the shutter is closed and after the pocket has been filled, said mechanism being connected to said bottom to move the same upwardly therein while said shutter is being opened to thereby clear the interior of the pocket of any adhering tobacco.

27. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, means for periodically actuating said shutter to close and open said outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom while said shutter is open, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, and mechanism for actuating said bottom to dump the contents of the pocket while the shutter is closed and after the pocket has been filled, said mechanism being connected to said bottom to move the same upwardly within the pocket while the shutter is openand after the pocket has been filled and thereby return the surplus quantity of tobacco to the hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket.

7 28. The combination with an immovable hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco 29. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to be filled with scrap tobacco therefrom, said pocket being provided with a movable bottom, and mechanism for actuating said bottom to dump the contents of the pocket, said mechanism being connected to said bottom to move the same upwardly within the pocket after the same has been filled and thereby return the surplus quantity of tobacco to the hopper and eliminate air pockets and bridging in the tobacco remaining in the pocket.

30. The combination with a measuring chamber'adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco and provided with a swingable trapdoor, of means for periodically swinging the trapdoor open to admit tobacco to the chamber, a plunger, and a linkage on which said plunger is supported for imparting a substantially straight-line motion thereto within the chamber to compact the tobacco therein.

31. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco and provided with a swingable trapdoor, of means for periodically swinging the trapdoor open to admit tobacco to the chamber, a plunger, and a linkage on which said plunger is supported for imparting a substantially straight-line motion thereto within the chamber to compact the tobacco therein, said plunger being yieldingly mounted on said linkage.

32. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of a plunger within said chamber, and a linkage on which said plunger is supported for imparting thereto a substantially straight-line motion within the chamber to compact the tobacco therein.

33. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of a plunger within said chamber, and a linkage on which said plunger is supported for imparting thereto a substantially straight-line motion within the chamber to compact the tobacco therein, said linkage including a vibrating link, means for supporting said vibrating link to permit movement thereof radially while being vibrated, said plunger being swiveled to the vibrating link, mechanism for oscillating said vibrating link on its supporting means, and an idler link mounted on a stationary pivot and connected to said vibrating link.

34. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, said chamber having a trapezoidal cross-section and including a charge-measuring pocket of similar cross-section into which the tobacco is forced by said means, and mechanism for severing the charge of tobacco in said pocket from the remainder of the mass of tobacco in the chamber, whereby a tapered bunch charge is formed.

35. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, said chamber having non-parallel top and bottom walls having horizontal margins and adjustable side walls between the horizontal margins of said top and bottom walls, said compacting means including a plunger having a head provided with a configuration fitting the crosssection of the measuring chamber between the non-parallel portions of the top and bottom walls of the latter.

36. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, said chamber having a horizontal top wall, an inclined bottom wall and a horizontal trap-door hinged on said top wall and swingable upwardly to admit tobacco to the chamber and including a charge-measuring pocket into which the tobacco is forced by said means, and mechanism for severing the charge of tobacco in said pocket from the remainder of the mass of tobacco in the chamber, whereby a tapered bunch charge is formed.

37. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a mass of scrap tobacco, of means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, said chamber having a trapezoidal cross-section, and said means including a plunger having a head provided with a configuration fitting the cross-section of the measuring chamber.

38. The combination with a plunger, of linkage for imparting asubstantially straight-line motion to said plunger, said linkage including a vibrating link, means for supporting said vibrating link to permit radial movement thereof while being vibrated, said plunger being swiveled to the vibrating link, mechanism for oscillating said vibrating link on its supporting means, and an idler link mounted on a stationary pivot and connected to said vibrating link.

39. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a shutter arranged to close said outlet, and means for periodically actuating said shutter to close said outlet, said shutter being provided With a resilient blade overhanging its forward end.

40. A scrap tobacco feed for cigar machines comprising a measuring chamber adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, and meohanism controlled by said means for delivering either a relatively large or small tobacco charge of measured volume to said chamber in accord ance with the supply of tobacco in the chamber.

41. A scrap tobacco feed for cigar machines comprising a measuring chamber adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, means for compacting the tobacco in said chamber, and mechanism controlled by said means for delivering either a relatively large or small tobacco charge of measured volume to said chamber in accordance with the supply of tobacco in the chamber, said mechanism including a hopper having an outlet, a feed pocket underlying said outlet and provided with a movable bottom, and linkage controlled by said means for varying the capacity of the pocket by raising its bottom into position to admit a maximum or minimum amount of tobacco from said outlet.

42. A scrap tobacco feed comprising a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, a feed pocket arranged to receive tobacco from said outlet, a blunt member adapted to close said pocket, and means for actuating said device to close said pocket after it has received a quantity of tobacco from said outlet, to segregate the same from the tobacco in said hopper without cutting, said blunt member being reciprocable, and said means including a yielding member for moving said blunt member into closed position. i

43. The combination with a hopper having an outlet and adapted to receive a supply of scrap tobacco, of a feed pocket underlying said outlet to receive tobacco therefrom, and a shutter movable into position to close said outlet and cover said pocket, said shutter being provided with an overhanging member adapted to part the tobacco in said pocket from that in said outlet. JOHN F. HALSTEAD. 

